Ghrelin O-Acyl Transferase: Bridging Ghrelin and Energy Homeostasis

Figure 2

Scheme showing formation of mature, acylated ghrelin from ghrelin gene. Ghrelin gene in humans is comprised of six exons and five introns. Upon transcription, the preproghrelin mRNA is formed, which translates to produce the precursor peptide that contains a signal peptide, mature peptide (ghrelin), and the C-terminal peptide. After posttranslational cleavage and processing by various enzymes including the prohormone convertases, carboxypeptidase E, amidating enzymes, and GOAT, the amidated, acylated mature ghrelin is formed. Amidated ghrelin is currently reported only in fish.